Legal advice dogs

[JBM]

Not my dogs but a friend who doesn’t know what to do next
Dogs were kept at boarding for 2 nights
-dog food was left with them (enough for two nights)

On collection dog food was barely half gone (not fed enough)
They were soaked through almost as they had been out all night long as the day of collection it was dry
Had to be taken to the vet as the Doberman was skinny (dehydrated) and had an infection in his back paws
Paws are worn horribly ONLY his back paws
Very confused
Other dog is perfect but hungry
Both been to vet

Have messaged to see if they’re an explanation
Only thing owner of the kennel said on collection was “he’s limping”

Going to demand boarding fee and vet costs
But wondering on the course of action if they refuse.

Will be making a post to make sure at least people I know will boycott them

 

[Landcruiser]

Not my dogs but a friend who doesn’t know what to do next
Dogs were kept at boarding for 2 nights
-dog food was left with them (enough for two nights)

On collection dog food was barely half gone (not fed enough)
They were soaked through almost as they had been out all night long as the day of collection it was dry
Had to be taken to the vet as the Doberman was skinny (dehydrated) and had an infection in his back paws
Paws are worn horribly ONLY his back paws
Very confused
Other dog is perfect but hungry
Both been to vet

Have messaged to see if they’re an explanation
Only thing owner of the kennel said on collection was “he’s limping”

Going to demand boarding fee and vet costs
But wondering on the course of action if they refuse.

Will be making a post to make sure at least people I know will boycott them

Try posting on the dogs section of the forum, you'll get a more targeted audience

 

[JBM]

Try posting on the dogs section of the forum, you'll get a more targeted audience

Sorry yeah
Thanks!

 

[twiggy2]

Not my dogs but a friend who doesn’t know what to do next
Dogs were kept at boarding for 2 nights
-dog food was left with them (enough for two nights)

On collection dog food was barely half gone (not fed enough)
They were soaked through almost as they had been out all night long as the day of collection it was dry
Had to be taken to the vet as the Doberman was skinny (dehydrated) and had an infection in his back paws
Paws are worn horribly ONLY his back paws
Very confused
Other dog is perfect but hungry
Both been to vet

Have messaged to see if they’re an explanation
Only thing owner of the kennel said on collection was “he’s limping”

Going to demand boarding fee and vet costs
But wondering on the course of action if they refuse.

Will be making a post to make sure at least people I know will boycott them

Often dogs don't eat their normal amount of food qhen in a strange environment and with strange people.
Dobes can be highly strung and as a guarding breed often don't do well with strangers.
Some dogs also bounce, pace, kennel walk in the kennels, similar to some horses weaving when stressed. The sore back feet could come from that?
Thin in 2 nights can also be stress and bouncing, kennel walking, pacing etc etc.
Have the dogs been in kennels before, did they have a day or 2 at the kennels before ebeing left for 2 nights?
Did the owners help the dogs adjust to a very alien and for some dogs an extremely stressful environment before they were left there?
Doberman in my experience don't stay wet for long so if the day was dry even if it had been out all night in the rain I would expect it to be dry.

 

[JBM]

Often dogs don't eat their normal amount of food qhen in a strange environment and with strange people.
Dobes can be highly strung and as a guarding breed often don't do well with strangers.
Some dogs also bounce, pace, kennel walk in the kennels, similar to some horses weaving when stressed. The sore back feet could come from that?
Thin in 2 nights can also be stress and bouncing, kennel walking, pacing etc etc.
Have the dogs been in kennels before, did they have a day or 2 at the kennels before ebeing left for 2 nights?
Did the owners help the dogs adjust to a very alien and for some dogs an extremely stressful environment before they were left there?
Doberman in my experience don't stay wet for long so if the day was dry even if it had been out all night in the rain I would expect it to be dry.

He’s not very stressy at all really he’s very easy going! Never had problems with strangers. He didn’t have any problems when he got to the kennels and seemed happy as him and husky were playing when left off.
Every time they called to check as well we were told they were happy out. If there were any problems or stress would’ve came and got them as we hadn’t gone far where we couldn’t come back!

 

[gunnergundog]

Was this the first time at this kennel?
Had they been kennelled previously, albeit elsewhere? If so, for how long and how did the set up differ to where you left them this time?
You were told that they were were happy out, but were they happy in, which is where they would have spent the majority of their time.
Were they kennelled together or separately?
So many variables. If first time kennelled, not at all amazed at loss of weight, lack of eating, wearing of nails etc. Dogs need to be prepared properly to be kennelled away from home, especially if this is not how they are normally kept - ie house dogs.

 

[Btomkins]

Make sure to contact your local council animal licensing officer. The kennels will be licensed and they should investigate any complaints. They should have made notes of any changes to behaviour, weight, eating habits and injury.

ETA - I have a Doberman and I know for a fact she wouldn’t eat in kennels and would be beside herself. Not all of them are like this but the vast majority are I’m afraid.

 

[Upthecreek]

The vast majority of dogs used to living in a family home do not adapt well to living in kennels. It is distressing for them because it is too much of a change to go to somewhere unfamiliar in a totally alien environment without their people. Two days isn’t long enough for them to get used to it and start eating and behaving more normally. I would imagine the dog with sore paws was stood up on his hind legs with front paws against the fence or gate.

You should think very carefully before making a public post suggesting people boycott them.

 

[Clodagh]

I have only had to use kennels once for my dogs. They were there for 3 days. They came back thin, stressed and had lost their voices with barking. Not the kennel owners fault, at least they were secure and safe.

 

[JBM]

Was this the first time at this kennel?
Had they been kennelled previously, albeit elsewhere? If so, for how long and how did the set up differ to where you left them this time?
You were told that they were were happy out, but were they happy in, which is where they would have spent the majority of their time.
Were they kennelled together or separately?
So many variables. If first time kennelled, not at all amazed at loss of weight, lack of eating, wearing of nails etc. Dogs need to be prepared properly to be kennelled away from home, especially if this is not how they are normally kept - ie house dogs.

First time in this kennel as usual girl was booked out
Sorry happy out is like a saying like they were happy as Larry
Can’t say for how the set up was different as personally never saw it
They’re happy inside or outside but dobbie doesn’t like getting wet
Kept together the whole time

Make sure to contact your local council animal licensing officer. The kennels will be licensed and they should investigate any complaints. They should have made notes of any changes to behaviour, weight, eating habits and injury.

ETA - I have a Doberman and I know for a fact she wouldn’t eat in kennels and would be beside herself. Not all of them are like this but the vast majority are I’m afraid.

thank you
He’s usually very easy going only a year old so happy to lay up with anyone

The vast majority of dogs used to living in a family home do not adapt well to living in kennels. It is distressing for them because it is too much of a change to go to somewhere unfamiliar in a totally alien environment without their people. Two days isn’t long enough for them to get used to it and start eating and behaving more normally. I would imagine the dog with sore paws was stood up on his hind legs with front paws against the fence or gate.

You should think very carefully before making a public post suggesting people boycott them.

I do understand it is distressing and that wouldn’t be their fault it’s more that they continued to say everything was perfect and owners showed up for collection to a limping dog

 

[AmyMay]

First time in this kennel as usual girl was booked out
Sorry happy out is like a saying like they were happy as Larry
Can’t say for how the set up was different as personally never saw it
They’re happy inside or outside but dobbie doesn’t like getting wet
Kept together the whole time

thank you
He’s usually very easy going only a year old so happy to lay up with anyone

I do understand it is distressing and that wouldn’t be their fault it’s more that they continued to say everything was perfect and owners showed up for collection to a limping dog

Despite absolute best effort and care, animals can hurt themselves. That’s not to say that their care was not satisfactory. But I think the owners need to have a full discussion with the kennel owners before seeking legal advice.

Are the reviews for the kennels positive?

 

[gunnergundog]

First time in this kennel as usual girl was booked out
Sorry happy out is like a saying like they were happy as Larry
Can’t say for how the set up was different as personally never saw it
They’re happy inside or outside but dobbie doesn’t like getting wet
Kept together the whole time

thank you
He’s usually very easy going only a year old so happy to lay up with anyone

I do understand it is distressing and that wouldn’t be their fault it’s more that they continued to say everything was perfect and owners showed up for collection to a limping dog

Happy out = happy out in the exercise area; NOT happy in the kennel!
You haven't answered if they were kennelled previously....?

Personally, I think you are barking up the wrong tree when posting under a heading of 'legal advice for dogs'. Sorry, but maybe there is info missing that you are aware of but not sharing, but from what has been posted I would say no legal case to answer whatsoever.

Also, to add, that they could be happy in one set up and yet return to same set up a month later and because the next door neighbour is 'different', it could cause previous unseen stress.

 

[Upthecreek]

First time in this kennel as usual girl was booked out
Sorry happy out is like a saying like they were happy as Larry
Can’t say for how the set up was different as personally never saw it
They’re happy inside or outside but dobbie doesn’t like getting wet
Kept together the whole time

thank you
He’s usually very easy going only a year old so happy to lay up with anyone

I do understand it is distressing and that wouldn’t be their fault it’s more that they continued to say everything was perfect and owners showed up for collection to a limping dog

Kennel owners will be used to dealing with anxious dogs who are missing their home comforts and their owners, so they will see that behaviour as quite normal. If they told every owner their dog was pacing or didn’t want to come inside they would all come back early from their holidays! This is how dogs who aren’t used to being in kennels behave. I would expect to be informed of an injury, but it will be very difficult to prove what caused it or when it happened. I don’t think they have any chance of reimbursement of boarding fees or vets fees.

 

[JBM]

Despite absolute best effort and care, animals can hurt themselves. That’s not to say that their care was not satisfactory. But I think the owners need to have a full discussion with the kennel owners before seeking legal advice.

Are the reviews for the kennels positive?

Yes but you would expect to be told of an injury no?

They have reviews turned off on their page and when they asked around after words some people had positive experiences but someone had had the same problem but on all 4 paws

Happy out = happy out in the exercise area; NOT happy in the kennel!
You haven't answered if they were kennelled previously....?

Personally, I think you are barking up the wrong tree when posting under a heading of 'legal advice for dogs'. Sorry, but maybe there is info missing that you are aware of but not sharing, but from what has been posted I would say no legal case to answer whatsoever.

Also, to add, that they could be happy in one set up and yet return to same set up a month later and because the next door neighbour is 'different', it could cause previous unseen stress.

i have used the term happy out not the kennel so I’m explaining how I’ve used it
I did, Yes but not at this kennel

Kennel owners will be used to dealing with anxious dogs who are missing their home comforts and their owners, so they will see that behaviour as quite normal. If they told every owner their dog was pacing or didn’t want to come inside they would all come back early from their holidays! This is how dogs who aren’t used to being in kennels behave. I would expect to be informed of an injury, but it will be very difficult to prove what caused it or when it happened. I don’t think they have any chance of reimbursement of boarding fees or vets fees.

it’s only the injury they are upset about if they had left him there longer how bad would the infection in his paws been?

 

[JBM]

I’m shocked at the amount of people who think it’s ok from a dog to come back from a kennels with infected paws, limping with no communication from the kennel

 

[CorvusCorax]

Answered in AAD, whilst lack of communication and lameness is not ideal, I think it's very unfair to expect house dogs to seamlessly adapt to kennels with no preparation and I don't think the kennels should be beasted on social media just yet.

 

[gunnergundog]

I’m shocked at the amount of people who think it’s ok from a dog to come back from a kennels with infected paws, limping with no communication from the kennel

You had communication from the kennel...they were 'happy out', according to you...whatever you take that to mean.
You left the dogs there for 48 hours plus without prepping them adequately in my opinion....as in previous, short duration visits such that they become familiar with the environment and kennel hands. You therefore pay the consequences....especially, as one I believe is a young adolescent.
And yes, I am aware that when I say 'you', it is 'your friend'.

Given your post above about reviews being turned off, maybe your friend should have done more research up front before leaving their dogs there??

 

[AmyMay]

I’m shocked at the amount of people who think it’s ok from a dog to come back from a kennels with infected paws, limping with no communication from the kennel

No, I don’t think people are saying that at all. But just trying to understand how it could have happened.

We’ve had dogs who have hurt themselves (become poorly) in our care. Depending on what they’ve done it’s either a vet visit or assess and wait. I always tell an owner that I’m happy to spend their money and if I feel they need a vet, they’ll see one. I tell an owner after they’ve seen a vet so that the picture is complete as it were. A mild lameness would probably have me assessing at home for 24 hours. A poorly dog is straight to the vet. I should add that instances like this are far and few between.

It does sound as if there’s some questions to answer from the kennels. And it’s certainly odd that reviews have been turned off.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I’m shocked at the amount of people who think it’s ok from a dog to come back from a kennels with infected paws, limping with no communication from the kennel

Nobody has said it's OK, people are just explaining how it could have happened and that it may not be overly sinister, just a breed that can get injured and stressed very easily, getting injured and stressed.

PPS As mentioned in AAD, 'happy out' means 'generally happy'.

 

[JBM]

Kennel isn’t giving any info just stating that they don’t know what happened and never checked him over
I understand stress in normal but feel it’s common practice to alert an owner to any injury and provide good care in the event a dog is injured
The paw is already infected so couldn’t have just happened before they were collected

 

[AmyMay]

Kennel isn’t giving any info just stating that they don’t know what happened and never checked him over
I understand stress in normal but feel it’s common practice to alert an owner to any injury and provide good care in the event a dog is injured
The paw is already infected so couldn’t have just happened before they were collected

Well they’ve certainly not done themselves any favours. Are they understaffed and over dogged I wonder?

 

[JBM]

Well they’ve certainly not done themselves any favours. Are they understaffed and over dogged I wonder?

Not sure but shouldn’t really be taking on dogs they’re not staffed to handle

 

[CorvusCorax]

Please see my replies in AAD, can't be doing flipping between the two. Like in humans, foot injuries can come on very quickly and there's not a huge amount you can do to fix them quickly. But you seem to be determined that something nefarious happened.

 

[gunnergundog]

Assuming that the dog was totally sound and without any abrasions to the pads when he arrived, it is reasonable to assume that it would take AT LEAST 24 hours for any soreness to the pads to arise through pacing. Given the adrenaline that most dogs experience in a kennel environment it is unlikely that any lameness would be apparent until removed from such circumstance and the adrenal levels drop. As he/she was collected at the 48 hour point I'm unclear as to what you expected. You say veterinary intervention wasn't expected. If the paw was already infected when collected, maybe there was a foreign body already present when the dog was dropped off....?? Just saying.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

I’m shocked at the amount of people who think it’s ok from a dog to come back from a kennels with infected paws, limping with no communication from the kennel

I'm neither okay, nor not okay with it. I'm on the fence. I'm sure I would be upset if I was your friend, but I'm not sure whether I would mainly blame the kennel, myself or nobody.

Maybe the kennel owners/staff are idiots, saw the dog limp, and thought **Nah, the owner is coming tomorrow, I'll let them deal with it.**

Or perhaps it's a case of that like many other animals, dogs can hide injuries, either because they're having high adrenal levels, or because they chose the worst time to decide that this is not the time nor environment where they want to show weakness by letting others know they're injured. But once the owner came, the dog felt "comfortable" to start showing the limp.

Regardless what I as an owner would feel, it just sounds very difficult to prove that the kennel definitely have failed in taking care of the dog.

 

[blitznbobs]

Whether or not they were right or wrong the legal case is pretty skinny… getting vet fees out of them will be a push as you will
Have to show negligence and as you have no witnesses that will be very tricky. Your friend could just not pay the fees if they haven’t already, but again, it will be difficult to get them back because the dog did stay and they would have to be able to show the dog didnt have an infected paw before he went into kennels. Infection happening that quickly is not likely. It usually takes a day or two for an injured wound to become infected so the kennels will argue that the paw was injured before arrival. Its one to write up to experience

 

[ycbm]

Dog peeps, is there any rational explanation for why the dogs were wet? They don't sweat, do they?
.

 

[AmyMay]

Dog peeps, is there any rational explanation for why the dogs were wet? They don't sweat, do they?
.

No, that is quite puzzling.

 

[MurphysMinder]

Dog peeps, is there any rational explanation for why the dogs were wet? They don't sweat, do they?
.

Could they have been bathed ? If they had been kennel running they could have got a bit smelly. With regard to the skinned pads, we had a rescue collie who managed to reduce all pads to a bloody mess in about an hour in a kennel and run, so it doesn't take long for this to happen. I would however be quite surprised if this sort of damage got infected within 48 hours.